Bacon Beer Bread
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2.Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup onion/shallot mixture and cook until brown; about 10 minutes.
3. Once onions and shallots are browned, add 1 clove of garlic (minced) and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Cook for one minute.
4. In a large pan, cook 1 cup of chopped bacon until crispy.
5. Combine 3 cups flour, 4 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir with whisk.
6. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add onion/shallot mixture, 1 cup of Welsh (or Irish) cheddar, and bacon.
7. Gradually mix in 12 oz of beer. Preferably a lagerstyle, but an amber ale, or a brown ale would do just as well. Mix until moist.
8. Coat a 9x5’’ loaf pan with cooking spray. Spoon dough into pan and distribute it evenly throughout. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of butter over surface. Place in oven.
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Take out of oven and pour 1 tablespoon of melted butter over the surface. Place back in oven for 20 more minutes or until bread becomes a golden brown.
10. Take loaf out of oven once more and drizzle 1 tablespoon maple syrup over surface. Place back in oven for 5 additional minutes. Take out of oven and dust surface with 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Let cool for 5 minutes in pan. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.